TEAM VIRTUAL
The goal of this project is to teach and improve C-section procedure skills and outcomes through a technology-enhanced training module. Using a combination of videos, mobile apps, and featuring a novel, virtual reality simulation program, this educational intervention will provide novice physicians a comprehensive knowledge of the anatomy, materials, and procedure steps necessary for them to safely and competently perform a C-section.
Our module is grounded in evidence-based theories of simulation
based-medical education and deliberate practice, which combined have
been proven to be superior to traditional clinical education in
achieving specific skills acquisition goals. Through a structured, feedback-enhanced format, our training emphasizes competency and uses objective measures for trainee evaluation.
We will use Kirkpatrick’s levels of learning evaluation to assess our program; we will collect data on trainee satisfaction, participation, factual and procedural knowledge, and procedure performance.
Our project is a 2-week objective-driven educational module combining several advanced technologies and housed within an online platform.
Finally, main feature of our educational module is the VR component. We will develop a proof of concept 3-D VR program compatible with commercially available VR hardware and software, specifically an Oculus headset coupled with a laptop. The program will provide an immersive, realistic, simulated environment where trainees can repeatedly and safely practice making critical clinical decisions and defined surgical C-section skills, with incorporated formative and summative feedback.
In LMICs, the capacity to perform C-sections is severely limited. Even when available, the risks of maternal and neonatal complications after C-section, including death, are 50 to 100 times higher than in high resource countries. Despite this, little attention is placed on improving the technical quality of the C-sections being done and the surgical skills of those performing them. Throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, C-sections are often performed by low-level healthcare providers at District Hospitals. These providers have often had minimal, if any, formal instruction in surgical procedure skills and most importantly, are unlikely to have ever had any objective assessment of their technical knowledge and skills prior to practice.
By the end of our module, trainees will be able to:
1) Describe the anatomy of the abdominal wall, the pelvis, and the gravid uterus, including major anatomical variants.
2) Identify and select the appropriate instruments and materials needed for a C-section.
3) Arrange and prepare the patient, equipment, and materials required for a C-section.
4) Describe in proper order the key steps of a C-section.
5) Reproduce the steps of a C-section with minimal guidance.
6) Demonstrate objectively measured competency in their ability to reproduce the steps of a C-section
Our project focuses on healthcare providers in LMICs who are responsible for performing C-sections, usually at the District Hospital level. These providers have often had minimal, if any, formal instruction in surgical procedure skills and most importantly, are unlikely to have ever had any objective assessment of their technical knowledge and skills prior to practice. Often, these providers are recent medical school graduates serving their required intern years in facilities with minimal supervision.
As part of our project, we will also undertake a 3-month data collection process on C-section morbidity and mortality at a designated District Hospital. Once the VR development is complete, we will perform pilot testing (and potential revisions) with volunteer medical students from a local medical school. The complete training module will then be implemented to a select student cohort. To gauge impact, we will gather volume and outcomes data on C-sections our cohort will be performing at District Hospitals after graduation and compare these to our previously collected baseline data.
- Concept: An idea being explored for its feasibility to build a product, service, or business model based on that idea
Team Lead: Dr. Ainhoa Costas-Chavarri is a General Surgeon working in Rwanda. She has an interest in surgical education and is pursuing a Masters in Health Professions Education
Looking for VR designers